Han Wu’s expression shifted, and he cursed internally that things had escalated too far this time. This fellow named Ning was truly despicable; being utterly infatuated with a woman, he was attempting to drag the entire South Seventy-Six Islands onto his warship. His face cycled rapidly through shades of dark and light.

“Han Wu, decide your own fate, life or death.” Zhang Heng roared, disregarding that the main cannon of the Nether Fire was still searing hot and had not cooled. He fired another blast at the protective barrier. Many knew that such barriers were invariably strong on the outside and weak on the inside. To think of shattering this barrier with a single main Nether Fire cannon blast was utterly hopeless. However, attacking from the inside offered a different possibility. Furthermore, the two secondary cannons also unleashed formidable Nether Fire projectiles.

Everyone, including Lei Dong, exerted their most powerful attacks; Lei Dong even summoned a puppet at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage for this purpose.

Boom. The barrier rippled violently again, a small hole punched through it. Simultaneously, the multitude of varied attacks converged precisely on that spot. For a moment, a large hole several zhang wide was blasted open in the barrier. However, it was still not enough—they were slightly short. Just as Zhang Heng’s expression darkened, Lei Dong crushed a talisman. From before him, an identical Nether Fire Cannon roared forth, slamming heavily against the barrier. The hole, originally several zhang wide, was instantly torn open to nearly ten zhang across.

Zhang Heng was overjoyed and urged the Nether Fire Number Nine to speed outward. Han Wu hesitated for a moment, choosing not to pursue. Instead, he unleashed a surge of power, darting out of the barrier’s hole ahead of everyone else. He struck out with his palm, but it wasn't aimed at the Nether Fire Number Nine; rather, it targeted Ning Xiao, who was closely pursuing. In the end, it was merely a matter of choosing a side. Han Wu was a solitary figure; why should he side with the Tian Yin Palace?

He pondered this: every supreme sect possessed its own inherent momentum and authority. This time, the Tian Yin Palace and Ning Xiao were clearly in the wrong for daring to plot against the combat squad of the Yin Sha Sect. Such a significant event meant that even if the Yin Sha Sect mobilized its entire strength to fight the Tian Yin Palace, they would not hesitate.

They would absolutely not let that fellow Ning get away with it easily. How much protection could the Tian Yin Palace truly offer him? Did they possess the true resolve to fight the Yin Sha Sect to the death, or were they merely bluffing?

Precisely because of this, when Ning Xiao, beguiled by that woman from the Tian Yin Palace, prepared to swing his allegiance toward them, many—including Han Wu—opposed it. Han Wu admitted that both sects were top-tier, their overall strengths roughly equal. But one side was the aggrieved party, the victim, while the other consisted of schemers and plotters.

The confidence and methods employed by the high-ranking members of both sides regarding the same issue would be entirely different. Because of this, Han Wu decided this was the moment to defy Ning Xiao. Moreover, if he followed Ning Xiao, he would remain a Deputy City Lord, forever overshadowed. But by standing with the Yin Sha Sect, he might find greater opportunities for advancement. The difference between adding icing to a cake and offering help in a snowstorm was simply too vast.

Seeing Han Wu’s action, the dozen or so Foundation Establishment realm cultivators following him, seven or eight of them broke out through the barrier hole to show their allegiance.

Ning Xiao watched this scene with a mixture of shock and fury. The fact that the combat squad managed to break the barrier and escape was already far beyond his expectations. He had not anticipated Han Wu leading men to rebel at the critical moment. Faced with Han Wu’s overwhelming and powerful palm strike, Ning Xiao was forced to halt his pursuit of the warship and strain every nerve to deal with the attack. Even though his strength surpassed Han Wu’s slightly, striking so hastily meant the confrontation was evenly matched. The resulting shockwave from the clash of energies exploded outward in all directions.

“Captain Zhang, let the Foundation Establishment cultivators board the ship, I’ll run behind,” Han Wu roared, unleashing his full power, his energy crackling audibly. He was clever enough to know that Zhang Heng would allow a few Foundation Establishment cultivators onto the ship, but he would never risk bringing a Golden Core cultivator like himself aboard.

Zhang Heng did not hesitate, allowing the group of Foundation Establishment cultivators to board, then steered the Nether Fire Number Nine to flee into the distance. Han Wu immediately erupted with a burst of energy, following closely behind. Ning Xiao and another Golden Core cultivator chased furiously, but seeing the enemy flying further away, they dared not pursue with only two people. The Yin Sha Sect’s warship was no joke. If they could trap it within the city, they could crush it however they pleased. But outside, that warship, combined with the combat squad members, vastly outmatched a single Golden Core cultivator.

Ning Xiao’s face was ashen and twisted with rage, never imagining that the fellow named Zhang Heng would be so vigilant. To lull them into a false sense of security, he hadn't even informed Han Wu of his plan to trap them all in the City Lord’s Mansion.

Regardless of Ning Xiao’s thoughts, Zhang Heng, Lei Dong, and the others also looked grim. If Zhang Heng hadn't been so cautious this time, they might have all perished in that small island city. Of course, Lei Dong deserved immense credit; without his final Nether Fire Cannon blast, escaping would have been incredibly difficult. All these factors combined resulted in this miraculous escape.

Still shaken, the others looked at Lei Dong with new perspectives. Zhang Heng, especially, was overwhelmingly grateful. “Lei Dong, we owe everything to you this time. But, was that a Nether Fire Cannon you just fired?” As he spoke, he stopped using the numbered designation and called him directly by name.

“Yes, a talisman for a Nether Fire Cannon.” Lei Dong’s spirit was still surging violently within him. He had managed to forcibly suppress his injuries with sheer willpower moments ago, but now, blood was beginning to seep from his seven orifices. Although his spirit was powerful, casting the Nether Fire Cannon had been too much of a strain. Even though the Nether Fire Cannon talisman had been repeatedly refined by Tian Mo to make it more suitable for lower-level cultivators, Lei Dong still suffered significant internal and spiritual damage while struggling to control it.

A Nether Fire Cannon talisman? Lei Dong’s words stunned everyone. Setting aside the sheer value of such a talisman, it was dangerously risky for a Foundation Establishment cultivator to use. Even Zhang Heng wouldn't claim he could safely control a Nether Fire Cannon talisman unless it was specially crafted by a Nascent Soul cultivator for the use of a junior in dire need of life-saving measures. Instantly, everyone began to view Lei Dong as unfathomably profound.

“Don’t say anything else for now. Concentrate on healing; I will handle the rest,” Zhang Heng said, furious about the incident. How long had it been since an attack against the disciples of the Yin Sha Sect’s combat squad occurred within their indirectly controlled territories? It was fortunate that he had been alert enough to sense something was amiss and decided to leave as a precaution.

Zhang Heng’s face was deeply displeased. He gave Lei Dong a pill capable of healing the spirit, then summoned a Ghost Emissary, closed his eyes, performed a ritual, and sent it out. To be absolutely safe, he released five or six more in quick succession. Since Ning Xiao dared to act this way, the Tian Yin Palace must be involved. However, Zhang Heng felt today’s events were too monumental—the audacity was too great. He had every reason to believe this matter would not be resolved easily.

After finishing these arrangements, Zhang Heng bowed to the cultivators who had defected with Han Wu. “Thank you all for choosing to help us, to help the Yin Sha Sect. I believe that after this incident, you will all achieve the status you deserve.”

“Venerable Envoy, the reason we followed out here was entirely because of Lord Han Wu. Lord Han Wu is a man of integrity and has treated us exceptionally well. Wherever he goes, we will follow,” those Foundation Establishment cultivators replied, showing slight distress. “Venerable Envoy, could we ask you to let Lord Han Wu board the ship too? He seems to be falling behind the speed of the flying boat.”

“I apologize. I understand Han Wu’s intentions, but I must be responsible for my brothers under my command,” Zhang Heng shook his head firmly. “I believe Han Wu won't take offense over such a matter. However, I can slow down and wait for him.” The Nether Fire Number Nine’s speed was set; once it engaged full throttle, even some Golden Core cultivators in the early stages might struggle to keep up. Otherwise, if its speed could be easily matched by any Golden Core cultivator, the value of this warship would be greatly diminished. Being able to escape pursuit from ordinary Golden Core cultivators was what made an excellent warship.

As expected, Han Wu, who was struggling to keep up behind them, laughed heartily. “The Nether Warship is indeed impressive; I can’t catch up. But brothers, don't worry about it. The combat squad brothers nearly suffered a great loss just now; being cautious is entirely necessary.”

“Thank you for your understanding, Senior Han,” Zhang Heng replied with a laugh. “I believe your decision this time, Senior Han, will benefit you for the rest of your life.”

“Thank you for your kind words, Brother Zhang. Please speak well of me to Commander Ouyang. I am fine, but I must give my brothers who came along an accounting,” Han Wu’s mood was excellent. At such a difficult juncture, seven or eight brothers had followed him out without a second thought. This made him feel that his life choices hadn't been entirely a failure.

“That is certain, Senior Han, please rest assured,” Zhang Heng replied with a wide smile. He piloted the flying boat, not heading straight toward the eastern coast, but instead making a large circle over the sea until the brothers’ warship arrived to provide support.

After receiving several messages relayed by Ghost Emissaries from Zhang Heng, Ouyang Mi immediately understood the gravity of the situation. It wasn't Zhang Heng being careless; this sort of incident hadn't occurred in many years. It was thanks to the young man’s astuteness that the entire team wasn't wiped out in that small island city. Consequently, upon receiving the news, Ouyang Mi immediately reported it, then took the lead with a Deputy Commander who had just returned, along with two squads, piloting the large warship Ming Wang and two medium-sized warships to offer immediate aid. Although he only received fragmented details from Zhang Heng, Ouyang Mi knew this matter was absolutely significant. It carried the very real possibility of triggering a full-scale conflict with the Tian Yin Palace.